This is Buzz Aldrin on the Moon, NASA photograph AS11-40-5903, taken by Neil Armstrong on 20 July 1969 during the Apollo 11 moonwalk at Tranquility Base. Aldrin stands facing the camera, and his gold visor reflects Armstrong, the lunar module and the surface around them. Our framed Buzz Aldrin on the Moon print is made from NASA's archival scan of the original 70 mm film frame, restored by the authors of the Apollo photo book Apollo VII-XVII.

Apollo 11 (AS11-40-5903)

The story of the photo

Apollo 11 launched on 16 July 1969 with Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin on board. On 20 July Armstrong and Aldrin landed the lunar module Eagle in the Sea of Tranquility, while Collins stayed in lunar orbit in the command module Columbia. A few hours later Armstrong stepped onto the surface, and Aldrin followed him down the ladder about twenty minutes after that.

For most of the moonwalk Armstrong carried the Hasselblad camera on the front of his suit, which is why most of the photographs of an astronaut on the Moon from Apollo 11 show Aldrin. This one was taken more than an hour into the walk, after Armstrong had moved over to the equipment bay on the side of Eagle. Aldrin's left arm is raised, probably so he can read the checklist sewn onto the wrist of his glove. Lunar dust clings to his boots and knees, and the soil is starting to pile up in front of his right boot as he moves.

Look into the visor and the photographer appears: Armstrong, small in the curve of the glass, with the lunar module beside him. The Apollo Lunar Surface Journal, NASA's annotated record of the moonwalks, notes that no other Apollo photograph has been reproduced as often as this portrait of Buzz.

Restored from the original Apollo 11 film

Most Buzz Aldrin prints and Apollo 11 posters are made from small web files that have been copied, compressed and colour shifted many times over. Ours starts from NASA's archival scan of the original film frame. We removed dust and scratches by hand and corrected colour and exposure against the film itself. Nothing is added or invented. What you see is what the camera recorded at Tranquility Base, as close to the film as we can bring it.

It is the same restoration that appears in our book Apollo VII-XVII, reviewed by CNN, TIME, BBC Sky at Night Magazine and The Planetary Society. This is not a reproduction of a reproduction: it comes from the film.

Buzz Aldrin, the man on the Moon

Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin was born in 1930 and flew as a fighter pilot in the Korean War before earning a doctorate at MIT on orbital rendezvous, the technique of bringing two spacecraft together in orbit. On Gemini 12 in 1966 he showed that astronauts could work productively outside a spacecraft. On Apollo 11 he flew as Lunar Module Pilot and became the second person to walk on the Moon.

Buzz Aldrin on the Moon framed print or unframed poster?

This framed Buzz Aldrin on the Moon print comes in three square sizes: 12 x 12, 20 x 20 and 28 x 28 inch (30, 50 and 70 cm), measured across the acrylic glaze. Choose a black, white or natural wood frame. The photograph is giclée printed on fine art paper with water based inks, set in an acid-free white mount and framed by hand in sustainably sourced wood. It arrives ready to hang, with a metal hook on the back. Every framed print is made to order, checked by hand and shipped insured and tracked.

Prefer to frame it yourself, or looking for an Apollo 11 poster? The same restoration is available unframed as a Buzz Aldrin on the Moon poster and photo print on heavyweight 240 gsm satin photo paper.

Buzz Aldrin on the Moon print FAQ

What is this Buzz Aldrin photo?

It is NASA photograph AS11-40-5903, taken on 20 July 1969 during the Apollo 11 moonwalk. It shows Buzz Aldrin standing on the Moon, facing the camera.

Who took the photo of Buzz Aldrin on the Moon?

Neil Armstrong, the Apollo 11 commander, with a Hasselblad camera on 70 mm colour film.

Is that Neil Armstrong in Aldrin's visor?

Yes. The curved visor works like a mirror and shows Armstrong taking the picture, with the lunar module Eagle next to him.

Is this the original NASA photo?

Yes. The print is made from NASA's archival scan of the original film frame, cleaned and colour corrected by hand. Nothing is added or invented.

What sizes is the framed print available in?

12, 20 and 28 inch square (30, 50 and 70 cm), in a black, white or natural wood frame. The size is measured across the glaze; the photograph sits inside the mount.

Is this a poster?

No, this is a framed fine art print, giclée printed, mounted and framed by hand. If you want an unframed Apollo 11 poster, choose the photo print: it is printed on heavyweight 240 gsm satin photo paper, a step up from a standard poster.

Photograph details

Photograph: AS11-40-5903
Mission: Apollo 11
Date: 20 July 1969
Photographer: Neil Armstrong
Camera: Hasselblad, 70 mm film
Source: NASA archival film scan
Restoration: Apollo Photo Prints, from the book Apollo VII-XVII